Portland has the Sports Bra, Minneapolis has A Bar of Their Own and, now, after nearly a year of renovations, Babe’s Sports Bar has finally opened its doors at 3017 W. Armitage Avenue. Chicago’s women’s sports fans are already calling it their new home turf, and for good reason.

The women-owned bar—co-founded by Nora McConnell-Johnson and Tora Spillane, former college rugby co-captains—is the city’s first bar devoted entirely to women’s sports. Named after legendary multi-sport athlete Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias, the space opened in September to crowds so big that the bar had to close the next day just to recoup and restock.

The vibe at Babe’s is part neighborhood pub, part shrine to women’s athletic history. Inside, walls are lined with donated trophies, team photos and vintage

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